No matter your choice of destination, taking a backpacking trip is an exciting experience that you’re never going to forget. Living out of your backpack, seeing some of the world’s best sights, getting to know locals and understanding their customs, meeting new friends, and getting off the beaten path in any country or continent is an experience of a lifetime.
If you’re planning a backpacking trip, you’ve probably got a good idea of your itinerary already, but do you know what you’re going to take in your backpack?
We’ve put together some tips and tricks to help you pack for your adventure.
#1. Consider Your Destination:
First things first, think about the destination that you’re going to be visiting. Of course, the most important factor is likely to be the weather. Will it be hot, cold, or somewhere in between? But it’s not just the temperature you should take into consideration when it comes to thinking about the clothes that you’re going to pack.
Consider factors such as religion – are you visiting somewhere where it would be deemed disrespectful to have your shoulders or knees on show, for example? Do some research into your chosen destination beforehand to make sure that you’re packing clothes that are not only appropriate for the weather, but also the culture.
#2. Comfort is a Priority:
When you’re backpacking, you’re going to be spending a lot of time walking around, often carrying your heavy backpack if you’re between destinations. So, you want to make sure that you pack for comfort, rather than style. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with looking good when you’re traveling, but make sure that comfort and practicality are your top priority. And when it comes to comfort, your shoes should be at the top of the list.
When you’re walking around, taking in the sights, you don’t want your experience to be ruined by painful blisters. A good pair of comfortable sneakers, walking shoes, or hiking boots are recommended.
#3. Think About Sun Protection:
If you’re backpacking in a hot destination, the last thing that you want is to suffer from painful sunburn. And, long-term, unprotected exposure to the sun can seriously heighten your risk of skin cancer at the worst, or at best you could end up with blisters or painful prickly heat rashes. When it comes to keeping yourself safe from the heat, it’s not just your clothing that you need to think about.
Make sure that you have a good supply of sunscreen with you and plenty of bottled water. Take a travel-sized bottle too, so you can transfer sunscreen to that when you’re out and about and have left your luggage at your accommodation. Accessories are also important – a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses will protect your eyes and sensitive facial skin from the sun.
#4. Keeping Your Valuables Safe:
The main concern for many backpackers is keeping their valuables safe. If you’re taking your smartphone, laptop or tablet, or an expensive camera with you, the last thing that you want is something to happen to an item that you’ve worked hard to pay for, especially if you like to use your iPhone to play online games on rubyfortune.com.
Insurance is a must-have, but it’s also a good idea to look into smart solutions for keeping your valuables protected when you’re on the road. For example, you can get an anti-theft backpack that you can wear on your back with peace of mind knowing that a thief can’t open it while you’re distracted. Plus, if you plan to carry any cash with you, a cash belt is a good idea. This is worn underneath your clothing and can be used for carrying money, your credit card, and passport, etc.
#5. Bedding Down:
Many backpackers will stay in hostels and hotels as they travel, but some like to get even more adventurous and find places to camp out. If you’re considering this, then you’ll need to take into account carrying your camping gear around. Invest in good backpacking tents and sleeping bags that can be rolled up onto your backpack and is easy to carry. Don’t forget that if you’re camping, you’ll also need to plan for essentials such as a camping stove.
If you found these tips helpful, we’d love to hear from you in the comments!